May ALAP Meeting Recap
We are an informal group of
Northern Michigan citizens seeking to have more local impact and connectedness
with our money. We gather once a month for a potluck and to meet local
entrepreneurs and learn about their projects. During our meetings, we
also share ideas for how we might keep more of our money locally and invested
for triple-bottom-line returns (financial, social, and environmental). This is
an experiment of sorts with exciting offshoot possibilities, including the
spawning of a more formal local investing club. For now, though, those
interested in pursuing local investments with other group members or presenting
entrepreneurs may do so independently of this ALAP group. Our meetings
are open to any individual, although we request that you RSVP so that we can
assure sufficient meeting space. We blog our progress @ www.aslocalaspossible.blogspot.com.
May 10 was the date for another fine ALAP gathering @
MLUI. The potluck was top notch and the discussion engaging. We
heard two brief updates from Paul Murray (LifeHouse project) and Bruce Odom
(Odom-Reuse) and then spent forty-five minutes with local agripreneur Nic Welty
of 9 Bean Rows.
Nic spoke to us about a project he is working on to better
connect small Leelanau county farmers with institutional buyers like
restaurants. He is developing a software app that can run on smart phones
and PCs and streamline communication, commerce, and logistics between farmers
and direct wholesale purchasers of any size. Nic hopes that by enabling
system efficiencies he can reduce waste, improve farmer recordkeeping and
improve traceability and local food safety. He envisions a one-year trial
for the app and expects to allocate funds raised for the project to initial
software development, farmer incentives, and technical support. Several
group members expressed initial interest in following up with Nic and will make
arrangements for a subsequent meeting.
ALAP will meet next on June 14 (6pm @ MLUI) for a
potluck and a full session devoted to group business including strategizing on
outreach to both entrepreneurs and potential new group members and rotation of
administrative duties. In the meantime, all ALAPers are encouraged to
help identify and reach out to triple-bottom-line minded entrepreneurs who
might benefit from speaking with our group.
Looking forward to keeping the momentum rolling and wish you
all a fine Northern Michigan weekend!
Zach
No comments:
Post a Comment